Binary to decimal converter



June 22, 1965 J. T. M NANEY BINARY T0 DECIMAL CONVERTER Filed Oct. 19. 1961 iii? OOI 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 fly. 4 \244 r 9 LQ *2 1 304 t m INVENTOR.

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BINARY TO DECIMAL CONVERTER Filed Oct. 19. 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent a is 3,191,167 BINARY TO DEQIMAL CGNVERTJR Joseph T. McNaney, 8548 itouider Drive, La Mesa, Caiif. Fiied Get. 19, 1961, Ser. No. 148,013 3 Claims. (6i. 349-647) This invention relates to an improved apparatus for converting binary code related input functions to decimalized mechanical output functions and more particularly to apparatus utilizing this converter improvement in combination with character selection and character reflection means in high speed printers and photocomposing machines.

In the graphic arts field, for example, there is an ever growing need for improvements in photocornposing machines in regard to higher operating speeds, improved operating efficiency, and a reduction in equipment costs. Moreover, improvements such as these are needed without any sacrifice in the quality of printing now provided by such equipments.

In photocomposing machines a technique of character generation, which is somewhat conventional, involves the use of font plates having an array of translucent characters on an opaque background. In the composition of type for printing a wide variety of characters must be made available from such an array for projection onto a photo sensitive medium. In the process of making these characters available for printing it is also necessary to select and project individual characters along a common optical axis of the machine in order that any given character may be exposed to the record medium within a precise area of the record medium. Costly and elaborate mechanisms are presently utilized in view of the character alignment accuracy requirements. Furthemore, these machines are very slow and ineflicient from an operational standpoint.

Another requirement of photocomposing machines involves line justification. Following the primary function of projecting a preselected character along a common optical axis, and within a given area of the record medium, it is necessary to move the record medium in a horizontal direction in relation to the optical axis for the purpose of exposing a succession of characters along a line extending from a given point on one side of the record medium to a given point on the opposite side of the record medium. The given points referred to at opposite ends of a line of characters represent the length dimension of a complete line of printed characters. In view of the desirability of having the first and last character of a line of characters coincide, respectively, with these points at opposite ends of the line it is necessary to compensate for variations in character width and Word syllable length by controlling the horizontal spacing between individual characters in the line. This is referred to as intercharacter and interword justification. Here again, very costly, slow and elaborate mechanisms are presently relied upon in the performance of line justification in photocomposing machines. Moreover, the effort to control the exposure and placement of char acters on a record medium in response to input signals in the form of coded information has added very much to the cost and complexity of present day machines.

It is an object of my invention to provide a binary to decimal converter mechanism which offers the utmost in simplicity, reliability and accuracy for the purpose of converting binary code related input functions to decimalized output functions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a binary to decimal converter mechanism in combination with a character beam forming matrix to provide the generation and optical alignment of predetermined characters with a high degree of simplicity, reliability and accuracy.

Another object of my invention is to provide a binary to decimal converter mechanism in combination with a beam reflection means for the purpose of exposing a radiant energy beam to a record medium with a high degree of placement accuracy.

Another object of my invention is to provide a binary to decimal converter mechanism in combination with character selection and character reflection means for use in photocomposing machines having the capability of higher operating speeds, and improved operating efficiency.

Another object of my invention is to provide a binary to decimal converter mechanism for use in high speed printers in the communications field wherein teletype codes will be converted directly to character selection and character placement on a record medium in response to such codes.

Other objects and features of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification and appended claims illustrating certain preferred embodiments of this invention in which:

FIGURE 1 shows an embodiment of my invention in cross section which is designed to convert a set of binary code related input displacements to a decimalized output function;

FIGURE 2 shows a partial sectional view of a detail of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of the binary to decimal coupling means of the invention;

FIGURE 4 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein two converters are connected in series;

FIGURE 5 shows another converter embodiment of my invention;

FIGURE 6 shows a partially sectional view of a reflector mechanism;

FIGURE 7 shows a partially sectional view of a beam forming mechanism;

FIGURE 8 is a diagrammatic view of a system embodiment of my invention which provides character selection and character deflection in response to binary code input signals; and

FIGURE 9 shows an example of a font plate containing an 8 x 8 matrix array of translucent characters.

Referring now to FIGURE 1,. the basic concept of my invention will be found in the utilization of a coupling means 9 positioned diagonally within, and in operative contact with, a four-sided array of functional surfaces 13, 14, 15 and 16, respectively, of input members 23, 24 and 25, and an output member 26, whereby, a decimalized function will be derived from the four-sided array of functional surfaces in combination with the coupling means and imparted to the output member 26 upon the irnpartment of binary code related displacements, selectively, to the input members 23, 2dand 2:3.

The input members 23, 2 and 25, and the output member 26, are supported in a structural member 17. Further details with regard to the input members 23, 24 and 25 are shown in FIGURE 2. One of the input members 24 is shown to include a displacement limiting means exemplified as including a shoulder like projection, or flange 18, designed to cooperate with surfaces 19 and 20 of the structural member 17. Although I have shown but one input member 24 as having such a displacement limiting means, it is my intention to have the other input members 23 and 25 equipped with a flange 18 and control surfaces 19 and 20 for the purpose of controlling displacement limits of the input members. It should be understood, however, that this represents but one of a number of possible schemes that could be used as a displacement limiting means and the invention therefore should not be limited to the use of this particular scheme.

When in operation, the individual members of the assembly 30 will be subjected to a counter force being applied to the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 21, which force will be opposed by binary code related displacements imparted, selectively, to the input members 23, 24 and 25. In the absence of input displacements to the input members 23, 24 and 25 a flange 18 of the respective input members will be seated against a surface 19 of the structural member 17. Under these circumstances the coupling means 9 will rece-ive an initial orientation within, and in operative contact with, the foursided array of functional surfaces 13, 14, and 16.

In the presence of input displacements to the input members 23, 24 and 25, a flange 18 of each member will be seated against a surface 20 of the structural member 17. Movement of the respective input members in response to input displacements will be under the control of a spacing A between the flange 18 and the surface 20. The spacing A relative to each of the input members 23, 24 and will correspond to the value of a given set of binary code input signals.

The initial orientation of the coupling means 9 may be modified and therefore made subject to three independent forms of reorientation, or combinations thereof, which are as follows: (1) An input displacement of the input member 23 will alter the dimensions of the four-sided array of functional surfaces and the orientation of the coupling means 9 to the extent of decreasing the spacing between surfaces 13 and 15, rotating the coupling means 9, and increasing the spacing between surfaces 14 and 16, thereby, imparting a displacement to the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 22. (2) An input displacement of the input member 24 will alter the position of the four-sided array of functional surfaces and the orientation of the coupling means 9 to the extent of displacing, selectively, the surface 14, the coupling means 9 and the surface 16, thereby, imparting a displacement to the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 22. (3) An input displacement of the input member 25 will alter the dimensions of the four-sided array of functional surfaces and the orientation of the coupling means 9 to the extent of decreasing the spacing between surfaces 13 and 15, rotating the coupling means 9, and increasing the spacing between surfaces 14 and 16, thereby, imparting a displacement to the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 22. V

Actuator means 33, 34 and are associated, respectively, with input members 23, 24 and 25, for the purpose of imparting binary code related displacements to the input members. Inductor windings, for example, of actuator means 33, 34 and 35 will be connected to a parallel system of first, second and third binary code signal circuitry. The inductor of actuator 33 will be connected to a first circuit and made to respond to code 001 of a 3-bit code control signal; the inductor of actuator 34 will be connected to a second circuit and made to respond to code 010 of the control signal; and the inductor of actuator 35 will be connected to a third circuit and made to respond to code 100 of the control signal.

When the actuator 33 is energized it will impart a displacement to the input member 23, and displacement limiting means will relate the displacement to the value of the 3-bit code 001. When the actuator 34 is energized it will impart a displacement to the input member 24, and displacement limiting means will relate the displacement to the value of the 3-bit code 010. When the actuator 35 is energized it will impart a displacement to the input member 25, and displacement limiting means will relate the displacement to the value of the 3-bit code 100. Displacement limiting means associated With each of the input members 23, 24 and 25 will relate the set of binary codes 001, 010 and 100, respectively, to input members 23, 24 and 25 decimal displacements of 1, 2 and 4. One, or a combination, of such displacements will alter the four-sided array of functional sur- 4 faces 13, 14, 15 and 16 and the orientation of the coupling means 9, whereby, a decimalized function will be derived from the coupling means 9 proportional to the value of the 3-bit binary code and imparted to the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 22.

The converter 30 described thus far is designed to convert a set of 3-bit binary codes to decimal functions within the range of 0 through 7. Referring now to FIG- URE 4, this embodiment of the invention shows two converters 30 and 30a connected in series, each being of the type shown and described in conjunction with FIG- URE 1. The two converters 30 and 30a are connected in series to extend the usefullness of the invention to include the conversion of a set of 5-bit binary codes to decimal functions within the range of 0 through 31. The output member 26 of the first converter 30 is coupled to the input member 24 of the second converter 30a. Individual output displacements corresponding to decimal values of 1, 2 and 4 from the first converter 30 are coupled to the second converter 30a and combined with a second set of displacements corresponding to decimal values 8 and 16.

Actuator means 33:: and 35a are associated with input members 23 and 25, respectively, of the second converter 39a. The inductor of actuator 33a will be connected to a fourth binary code signal circuit and made to respond to code 01000 of a S-bit code control signal. The inductor of actuator 35a will be connected to a fifth binary code signal circuit and made to respond to code 10000 of the control signal. When the actuator 33a is energized it will impart a displacement to the input member 23 and displacement limiting means will relate the displacement to the value of the code 01000. When the actuator 35a is energized it will impart a displacement to the input member 25 and displacement limiting means will relate the displacement to the value of the code 10000.

Another embodiment of my invention is shown in FIGURE 5, wherein a coupling means 9a, 9b and 9c is positioned diagonally within, and in operative contact with, a four-sided array of functional surfaces, whereby, a decimalized function will be derived from the combination of coupling means 9a, 9b and 9c and imparted to an output member 26 upon the impartment of binary code related displacements, selectively, to input members 55a, 55b and 55c.

The coupling means 9a, 9b and 9c is a unitized version 12 of the two bearing 10 and 11 coupling 9 illustrated in the converter assembly 36 of FIGURE 1. As additionally illustrated in FIGURE 3, the unitized version 12 may be utilized in place of the two bearing 10 and 11 type of coupling 9 shown in FIGURES 1 and 4. Although I have chosen to show the single unit 12 type of coupling 9 in FIGURE 5, a two bearing type may be used in its place, if preferred.

The coupling means 9a is positioned diagonally Within, and in operative contact with, the four-sided array of functional surfaces 43a, 44a, 45a and 46a. The functional surfaces 43a and 44a are part of the structural member 17a, and the functional surfaces 45a and 46a are part of the input member 550! and the output member 47, respectively. The coupling means 9b is positioned within, and in operative contact with, the foursided array of functional surfaces 4%, 44b, 45b, and 46b, respectively, of structural member 17a, output member 47, input member 45b and output member 48. The coupling means is positioned Within, and in operative contact with, the four-sided array of functional surfaces 43c, 44c, 45c and 460, respectively, of structural member 17a, gutpu; member 48, input member 550 and output mem- The input members 55a, 55b and 550, and the output members 47, 48 and 26 are supported in the structural member 17a. Actuator means 65a, 65b and 65c are associated, respectively, with input members 55a, 55b and 55c for the purpose of imparting binary code related dis.

placements to the input members. Inductor windings, for example, of the actuators 65a, 65b and 65c will be connected to a parallel system of first, second and third binary code signal cicuitry. The inductor of actuator 65a will be connected to a first circuit and made to respond to code 001 of a 3-bit code control signal. The inductor of actuator 65b will be connected to a second circuit and made to respond to code 010 of a 3-bit code control signal. The inductor of actuator 65c will be connected to a third circuit and made to respond to code 100 of a 3-bit code control signal.

When in operation, the individual input members 55a, 55b and 55c and output members 47, 48 and 26 will be subjected to a counter force being applied to the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 21. This force will be opposed by binary code related displacements imparted, selectively, to the input members 55a, 55b and 550. In the absence of input displacements to the input members a flange .18 of the respective input members will be seated against a surface of the structural member 17a, in accordance with the description given in conjunction with FIGURES 1 and 2. Under these circumstances each of the coupling means 9a, 9b and 9c will receive an initial orientation within, and in operative contact with, their respective four-sided array of functional surfaces.

The initial orientation of the coupling means 9a may be modified in response to an input displacement of input member 55a, which will decrease the spacing etween the functional surfaces 43:! and 45a, and rotate the coupling means 9a. This action will result in a displacement of output member 47 in the direction of arrow 22. The initial orientation of the coupling means 9b may be modified in response to an output displacement of output member 47, or, in response to an input displacement of input member 55b, or, in response to a combination of these two displacements. A displacement of the output member 47 will result in a displacement of the coupling means 9b and the output member 4 8 in the direction of arrow 22. A displacement of the input member 5512 will decrease the spacing between the functional surfaces 431) and 45b, and rotate the coupling means 9b, resulting in a displacement of the output member 48 in the direction of arrow 22. The initial orientation of the coupling means 90 may be modified in response to an output displacement of the output member 48, or, in response to an input displacement of the input member 550, or, in response to a combination of these two displacements. A displacement of the output member 48 will result in a displacement of the coupling means 90 and the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 22. A displacement of the input member 550 will decrease the spacing between the functional surfaces 43c and 45c, and rotate the coupling means 90, resulting in a displacement of the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 22.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, a partially sectional view of a radiant energy beam reflector assembly 60 is shown which is designed to be operated and controlled by means of decimalized output functions derived from my converter embodiments of FIGURES l, 4 and 5. The assembly 60 includes a structural member 61 for a converter output member 26, a counter force member 62, and a counter force spring means 63. A radaint energy reflector 64 is attached to a reiiector support means 65. The latter is supported intermediate a four-sided array of functional surfaces 66, 67, 6-8 and 69, respectively, of the structural member 61, the counter force member 62, and the output member 2a. The support means 65 is made to assume a position diagonally within, and in operative contact with, the functional surfaces of the four-sided array, whereby, an angular displacement may be imparted to the support means 65 in response to lineal displacements imparted to the converter output member 26. When placed in operation, a lineal displacement imparted to the output member 26 in the direction of arrow 22 will cause a decrease in the spacing between surfaces 67 and 69, a rotation of the support means 65, and an increase in the spacing between surfaces 66 and 68. These latter functions will be performed in opposition to the counter force of spring means 63.

A source of radiant energy 70 will be focused on the surface 64 by means of a suitable lens system 71. Reflections of the radiant energy will be made in response to angular displacements of the support means 65, which will be substantially proportional to the value of a set of binary code related displacements imparted to input members of a converter unit 30. A record medium 72 will be provided whereby the radiant energy may be exposed to predetermined areas of the record medium under the control of binary code related input functions to the converter unit 30.

Means for shaping the beam of radiant energy from the source 70 may be in the form of a font plate having an array of translucent characters on an opaque background. Such an array is shown in FIGURE 9, and will hereinafter be referred to as a matrix 73. Referring now to FIGURE '7, a matrix '73 designed to contain an 8 x 8 array of characters is secured in a matrix support means 74 of a matrix positioning mechanism 80. The support means 74 is positioned intermediate a four-sided array of functional surfaces Ma, 1%, 84a and 84b, respectively, of converter output members 26a and 26b, and of counterforce members 85 and 86. These latter members are supported in a structural member 87. Displacements imparted to output members 2641 and 26b, in the directions of arrow 22, will be made against a force of counter force springs 88 and 89 applied, respectively, to the counter force members 85 and 86.

The positioning mechanism will allow the matrix 73 to be positioned both horizontally and vertically in proportion to lineal displacements imparted to the converter output members 26a and 26b. Character shaped beams will be derived from the matrix 73 corresponding to the value of binary code related displacements imparted to input members of converter units of which the output members 26a and 2612 are a part.

A converter which is designed to control the angular reflection and selection of character shaped beams of radiant energy corresponding to the value of binary code related input functions is shown in FIGURE 8. This converter is a combination of the various assemblies shown and described thus far and is shown to include a first system of binary to decimal mechanical displacement converters 30-1 and 302, and a radiant energy beam forming matrix positioning mechanism 80, and, a second system of binary to decimal mechanical displacement converters 30-3, and a radiant energy beam reflection mechanism 60. There is a source 70 of radiant energy, and a record medium 0 on which character shaped beams of the radiant energy will be recorded in response to the binary coded input functions.

The support means 74 for the matrix 73 is coupled to the binary to decimal converters 30-1 and 30-2 by means of their output members symbolically represented as arrows 26. The converter 30-1 will provide horizontal positioning of the matrix 73 and the converter 30-2 will provide vertical positioning of the matrix 73. The matrix '73 will be illuminated from the source 70 of radiant energy through a lens 71 upon the closing of a switch means '75. Radiant energy beam limiting means (not shown) will permit at least one character shaped beam from the matrix 73 to be exposed to the surface of the reflector 64 and thereupon be reflected to the record medium 90. Beam limiting means have not been shown since it may he in the form of a limiting aperture, and such an aperture may be located on either side of the matrix 73 along the optical axis 76. Actuators 33, 34 and 55 of the horizontal converter 30-1 are connected to parallel control circuitry and made to respond to binary codes 000001, 000010 and 000100, respectively, of a 6- bit code system. Actuators 33, 34 and 35 of the vertical I? converter 302 are connected to parallel control circuitry and made to respond to binary codes 001000, 010000 and 100000, respectively, of the 6-bit code system.

In view of the description thus far, it should be understood that a character shaped beam of radiant energy may be derived from the matrix corresponding to the value of binary code related displacements imparted to input members 23, 24 and 25 of the horizontal and vertical converters 304 and Sit-Q.

The support means 95 for a reflector 64 is hinged, for example, to a structural member 96 and thereby free to receive angular displacements with respect to said member 96. A spring means 97 is provided to force movements of the support means 95 in the direction of arrow 98. The reflector support means 95 is coupled to the binary to decimal converter assembly 304% by means of an output member symbolically represented as arrow 26. Actuators 33a, 33, 34, 35 and 35a are connected to parallel control circuitry and made to respond to binary codes 00001, 00010, 00100, 01000 and 10000 of a -bit code system, respectively. Angular reflections of character shaped beams of radiant energy will, therefore, be derived from the reflector 64 corresponding to the value of binary code related displacements imparted to input members of the converter assembly 30-3, and character shaped beams will be exposed accordingly to the photo responsive record medium 90.

In view of the stated objectives and my description of the invention it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the very difiicult problems relative to high speed printers for communications purposes and photocomposing machines can be overcome. Although I have directed my attention particularly to applications within the graphic ants field, it should be understood that many of the other embodiments embracing the basic concepts, general principles and construct-ions hereinbefore set forth, may be utilized and still be within the ambit of the present invention.

The particular embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein are illustrative only, and the invention includes such other modifications, dimensions and equivalents as may readily appear to those skilled in the arts, and within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a mechanism for imparting a plurality of binary code related input functions to a single output member (a) a coupling means presenting four bearing sur- (b) a first input member having but one bearing surface for contacting said coupling means;

(c) a second input member having but one bearing surface for contacting said coupling means;

(d) a third input member having but one bearing surface for contacting said coupling means;

(e) an output member having a bearing surface for contacting said coupling means;

( f) means for supporting said coupling means and said members so that said coupling means is in contact with each of said members and each member is in a zero reference position;

g) means for changing the position of said output member to seven diflferent positions equal, respectively, to seven different magnitudes of displacement and corresponding, respectively, to seven different combinations of displacements imparted to said first, second and third input members, with respect to said zero reference position;

(h) said position of the output member being equal to the first of said seven different magnitudes of displacement following a displacement of only the first input member; '(i) said position of the output member being equal to the third of said seven different magnitudes of dis- 8 placement following displacements of only the first and second input members; and

(3') said position of the output member being equal to the seventh of said seven different magnitudes of displacement following displacements of the first, second and third input members.

2. In a mechanism for imparting a plurality of binary code related input displacements to a single output member (21) first and second coupling means each presenting bearing surfaces;

(b) first, second and third input members each having but one bearing surface for contacting, respectively, bearing surfaces of said first coupling means;

(c) fourth and fifth input members each having but one bearing surface for contacting, respectively, hearing surfaces of said second coupling means;

(d) a bearing member intermediate said first and second coupling means having a bearing surface for contacting said first coupling means and a bearing surface for contacting said second coupling means;

(e) an output member having a bearing surface for contacting said second coupling means;

(f) means for supporting each of said coupling means and each of said members so that the respective bearing surfaces thereof are in contact and each of said members is in a Zero reference position; and

(g) means for changing the position of said output member to thirty-one different positions equal, respectively, to thirty-one different magnitudes of displacement with respect to said Zero reference position and corresponding, respectively, to thirty-one different combinations of displacements imparted to said first, second, third, fourth and fifth input members with respect to said zero reference position.

3. In a mechanism for imparting a plurality of binary code related input displacements to a single output member thereof,

(a) first, second and third coupling means each presenting bearing surfaces;

(b) a stationary member presenting bearing surfaces;

(c) a first input member having but one bearing surface for contacting said first coupling means;

(d) a first bearing member intermediate said first and second coupling means having a bearing surface for contacting said first coupling means and a bearing surface for contacting said second coupling means;

(e) a second input member having but one bearing surface for contacting said second coupling means;

(f) a second bearing member intermediate said second and third coupling means having a bearing surface for contacting said second coupling means and a bearing surface for contacting said third coupling means;

(g) a third input member having but one bearing surface for contacting said third coupling means;

(h) means for supporting each of said coupling means and each of said members so that the respective bearing surfaces thereof are in contact and each of said members is in a zero reference position; and

(i) means for changing the position of said output member to seven different positions equal, respectively, to seven different magnitudes of displacement with respect to said zero reference position and corresponding, respectively, to seven different combinations of displacements imparted to said first, second and third input members with respect to said zero reference position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,640,866 6/53 Powell 250-230 X 3,024,976 3/62 Wales 235-6l MALCOLM A. MORRISON, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MECHANISM FOR IMPARTING A PLURALITY OF BINARY CODE RELATED INPUT FUNCTIONS TO A SINGLE OUTPUT MEMBER (A) A COUPLING MEANS PRESENTING FOUR BEARING SURFACES; (B) A FIRST INPUT MEMBER HAVING BUT ONE BEARING SURFACE FOR CONTACTING SAID COUPLING MEANS; (C) A SECOND INPUT MEMBER HAVING BUT ONE BEARING SURFACE FOR CONTACTING SAID COUPLING MEANS; (D) A THIRD INPUT MEMBER HAVING A BEARING SURFACE FOR FACE FOR CONTACTING SAID COUPLING MEANS; (E) AN OUTPUT MEMBER HAVING A BEARING SURFACE FOR CONTACTING SAID COUPLING MEANS; (F) MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID COUPLING MEANS AND SAID MEMBERS SO THAT SAID COUPLING MEANS IS IN CONTACT WITH EACH OF SAID MEMBERS AND EACH MEMBER IS IN A ZERO REFERENCE POSITION; (G) MEANS FOR CHANGING THE POSITION OF SAID OUTPUT MEMBER TO SEVEN DIFFERENT POSITIONS EQUAL, RESPECTIVELY, TO SEVEN DIFFERENT MAGNITUDES OF DISPLACEMENT AND 